Late last year, in a move seen by many as boosting PKR’s prospects in the forthcoming state elections in Sarawak, Ngemah independent state assemblyperson Gabriel Adit, apparently with thousands of his supporters in tow, joined PKR.
A Malaysiakini report dated 13th November, 2008 quoted Adit as saying that “once he is officially in PKR, he will help his colleagues at state and national levels to build up the party’s grassroots where it counts most ahead of the state elections”.
At the PKR Congress on 29th November, last year, Adit was showcased as a key asset to the party making a siginificant headway in Sarawak at the next state elections.
In June, this year, the PKR Sarawak leadership underwent a revamp. A Malaysiakini report dated 3rd June, 2009 has it that this exercise was with a view to “strengthen the party in view of the upcoming state elections”
Mustaffa Kamil Ayub, who hails from Perak, Semenanjung, and who was appointed the new chief of PKR Sarawak in the state leadership revamp, acknowledged that “the initiatives taken by certain Dayak leaders to join PKR had opened the minds and eyes of their supporters so much so that they too have now joined the party”, that the “number of Dayaks in the party has increased significantly” and that “It is important, therefore, we give an emphasis to the participation of the Dayaks in the party”.
Adit was appointed a member of the state leadership council.
Last week, Malaysiakini reported that a new party called Pakatan Rakyat Malaysia would be launched in Sarawak in the next few days and that this new party would be helmed by Adit. In another report of the same date, Malaysiakini reported that when asked if he was behind this new party, Adit denied this and said “As of today, I am still a PKR member. But who knows (about) tomorrow?”.
Is PKR about to lose one who Anwar had categorised as a strong ally in Sarawak?
About the same time that the Sarawak PKR leadership was being revamped, the PKR leadership in Sabah underwent the same.
Azmin Ali, MP for Gombak, took over leadership of PKR Sabah from Anwar.
There was obviously some unhappiness with Azmin’s appointment, given his remarks just after his appointment and before he made his first trip to Sabah in this new capacity, reported in Malaysiakini, that “In Sabah PKR for example, we do have our differences as in any party, but they are not serious enough to cause a party split or prevent us from working together or with the other opposition parties”. Azmin then alluded to the appointment by Najib of Shafie Apdal, a Sabahan, as Kedah Umno and BN chief and then asked, “Does this mean that they don’t trust a Kedahan or someone from the peninsular?” and answered that question himself with “At the end of the day, when it comes to the general election, all PKR candidates in Sabah will be from the state itself. That’s what really counts”.
Last week, Malaysiakini reported that, on the night of 7th October, 16 out of a total number of 25 Sabah PKR division heads met, concurred that they had no confidence in Azmin’s leadership and communicated this to the party top leadership in KL.
More telling, that report has it that the 16 want Azmin removed from this post with immediate effect and have made it clear that “no one from outside Sabah should be appointed to head the PKR chapter in the state ever again”.
The PKR man who spoke to the Malaysiakini reporter had apparently said : “We don’t want these very imperial ketuanan Melayu (Malay political supremacy) types in Sabah. He’s ex-Umno and has not changed one bit since joining PKR”.
The 16 division chiefs have recommended to PKR HQ that Keningau division chief Jeffrey Kitingan be appointed as the new Sabah chief to replace Azmin.
I called my source in Kota Kinabalu last Thursday to find out what was going on.
That source put me in touch with two PKR Sabah individuals who are very much in the know.
One a Muslim, the other a Catholic. Both locals.
Both were initially reluctant to divulge anything, their concern being that I might disclose their identity or that I might not report anything adverse they might say of PKR or Anwar.
As to whether they could hold me to my word that I would not disclose their names under any circumstances whatsoever, I asked them to check back with the source that had hooked me up with them.
As to their other concern, I assured them that any statements of fact adverse of PKR or Anwar, substantiated with evidence, and in the interest of the rakyat that the same be made public, would be reported. Statements of opinion, if fair, and not amounting to a personal attack, would be treated similarly.
I assured them that I was neither a PKR or Anwar supporter. I was for the rakyat.
They checked with my source and came back to me on Friday with a lot to say.
I’ll share that with you in the next post.
tom
October 13, 2009
PKR is definitely taking the wrong people in Sarawak. Adit is a man who have no influence amongst the Iban. He is more a frog looking for a good time and easily influent by $$$$. PKR is definitely the the weakest link in PR. Their recruitment is more of getting rejects from BN – rejects who are looking for greener pasture and not because of political ideal or platform.
alex
October 13, 2009
Brother Tom,
Obviously you have some hidden agenda with Adit. I diasgree with you when you say Adit has no influence. If he has no influence then no one will have anything to comment about him or worry about this new party he supposedly is going to helm.
Is wanting to have money such a bad thing? I think what you do with the money is more important. If you get RM100 million and pass it all to the Dayaks then its a good thing but sadly not many Dayak politicians or any politicians now with the exception of a few will ever do such a thing.
PKR has definitely lost the plot. Either that or they think that a person can win an election with little money spent. Whoever heard of a budget election. And you want to go against Taib and the State BN whose coffers are overflowing with cash?
So if becoming a frog means you can help the Dayaks then so be it. At least Adit tried.
Tom
October 14, 2009
http://thebrokenshield.blogspot.com/2009/10/is-adit-serious-in-forming-new-party.html
LT
October 13, 2009
PKR should work with locals and not place others from the west.
Let the locals lead. They know the ground better then anyone else.
bayi
October 13, 2009
Looks like PKR top honchos have a lot to reflect on. I can see several of them getting very patronising and too obsessed with power and money. Some go out of line with their skewed religious views.
Ravi
October 13, 2009
Azmin Ali has been a shady figure with unclear motives and ambitions in PKR and Pakatan Rakyat.
I think we should be very, very careful about him.
My gut feeling is that he isn’t to be trusted.
Anwar we can feel he is genuine and open. Azmin Ali, no way.
veryupset
October 13, 2009
Enough talk about what or where PKR will win….
First thing they “HAVE” to do is to be able to work together.
Currently….. they are not..!!
“Just Do It……..!!!!!”
looes74
October 13, 2009
Great,
DAP can move in to fill in the vaccum. They have been there for so long. Lim Kit Siang has done much groundwork in Sabah & Sarawak. Perhaps, DAP should take the lead
Kalambong
October 13, 2009
Sad to say, with sdr. DSAI busily preparing himself to be locked up, again, PKR is imploding
Not only in East Malaysia, even within the PKR on the Peninsular, a lot of cracks are surfacing
The Simple man
October 13, 2009
Bro,
PKR must wake up and smell the roses. Or rather should i say PR. They bloomed in March 08 with lots of promises. As much as we understand this is the teething period but they have to show unity with each other 1st. They must create a common platform for Malaysian’s to further believe in them. Understanding the sensivities and the reality of religious and race polictics in our country hence then need for that common ground for the 3 parties to work in unity. Policies and practices have to be sincere and firm. I sincerely hope that they would walk the talk or this PR gonna be another 1 hit wonder.
Cheers bro!
PRite
October 13, 2009
Common sense tells us local leaders would be preferred over outsider by locals anytime. Jeffrey Kitingan should be a good choice. Why can’t PKR understand that?
kate
October 13, 2009
curioser n curioser – the plot thickens. PKR is not savvy enough agnst the crooked BN.
selvarajasomiah
October 13, 2009
You right Harris. Azmin is a liability to PKR and PKR Sabah is cracking apart because of him. You can quote me on this and even 1 month ago I did mention about this in my Twitter.
audie61
October 13, 2009
Seems PKR has really losts it direction in Sarawak. Sad to say a lot of them are still playing state politics and do not know the meaning of a A NATIONAL PARTY.. Needs to be educated more and to bring them into the meaning of a national party with directions,policies and directions. Too much infighting and this further weakens Sarawak PKR.
arianna
October 13, 2009
Dear Haris,
I was stunned when PKR announced West Malaysians PKR leaders to head its Sabah and Sarawak branch respectively.
It just doesn’t work like that in Sabah or Sarawak. It’s like digging your own grave here. So, I am not surprise when Sabah and now Sarawak opposed the KL leaders. I was wondering what took them this long to voice out their feelings.
Seriously, PKR should let local sons to lead its party in Sabah and Sarawak. Afterall, you don’t understand our customs and tradition. Period.
p/s Have a nice day Haris. And about Bagan Pinang? Nah, am not crying at all. Just glad that PR was given a good shake and hopefullyu, they’ll be wiser or else.
Realist
October 14, 2009
I see no problem for any Malaysian to head Sabah PKR. Azmin Ali is just a political leader. What PKR Sabah needs most to shed away the old political personalities that it has. Inject new untested people but not just anyone but acceptable and new personalities who have at least achieved something in their walk of life be it profession or business or academia. Find out about their attributes and character and teach/train them to work for the State and idealogy that we aspire for Malaysia and the Borneo States as a partner. I am sure that PKR can do much better than Dr. Jeffrey Kitingan, Ansari and Christina Liew. Mr. Harris, to know Sabah is just to look at who has been around Sabah Politics both BN and in PR and how they have refused to back out from their aspirations, conspiracy and so called political influence that they have. We in Sabah need to seriously reformat and reboot with totally politically unknown and untainted personalities because we will after all face the known political personalities and tainted personalities from BN. Arent we supposed to give that kind of comparison and choice to the Electorate….. cheers
mangofruit
October 14, 2009
Realist said
“I see no problem for any Malaysian to head Sabah PKR. Azmin Ali is just a political leader. What PKR Sabah needs most to shed away the old political personalities that it has…”
My reply: I see no problem why a Sabahan or Sarawakian political leader cannot be the head of PKR Malaysia or a Prime Miniter for Malaysia for that matter. Why are you West Malaysians do not give a chance then? After 46 years within Malaysia, the West Malaysians have been the ones still dominating and issueing the edicts to the East Malaysians.
My Choice
October 15, 2009
I agree with u on a Sabahan being able to lead Malaysia as Prime Minister … that will indeed come to past am sure of it. The very same position I take on Azmin. Why not him lead Sabah … why must it be a Sabahan … espcially an incapable one? The mistake by DSAI or Azmin is that they have given in to the demands of the intra party demands re : must be Jeff’s man, Ansari’s Man and Christina’s Man etc etc … DSAI should have just radically picked tottaly unknown people and worked from there …. so what if the person picked is not known? is that not the whole purpose of having the CHange that PKR or PR promised? Have we not seen the personalities that have lingering on the corridors and doors of powers … aren’t they the same old dudes who have been telling us probably our Dads and Mums and Relatives since 1985 that they are the Hope of SABAH!!! BS Man, the same guys are still talking the same old thing. Look at UMNO, even Lajim and Ghapur Salleh is still there …. damm man, should we have not realised how much left behind we are on forward change … reformat, reboot and restart the whole Party dude.. ..
Young_Rakyat
October 20, 2009
Dear Realist,
PKR had recently held their EGM this year. It was to pass the amended party constitution.
I would like to refer to one particular article, that is
Fasal 16.6
Pengerusi Majlis Pimpina setiap Negeri dan Wilayah Persekutuan hendaklah dilantik oleh Presiden SETELAH BERUNDING dengan Ketua – Ketua Cabang di Negeri – negeri berkaitan dan Wilayah Persekutuan. Perundingan tersebut perlu dibuat di dalam suatu mesyuarat setelah notis diberi kepada semua Ketua Cabang dalam Negeri berkaitan dan Wilayah Persekutuan.
The Party have a very clear article regarding the selection of their leader in each state. Azmin Ali was not appointed according to the new constitution. The Ketua – Ketua Cabang was never called to discuss ( to give their vote ) on who should lead PKR in Sabah. I think that was the problem. Some leader in PKR has No Discipline in the appointment of their state leader.
Can anybody from PKR confirm this?
Thanks.
My Choice
October 15, 2009
Further to the reply … Dompok, Pairin and Kurup … damm man, there are still there in the doors of powers … Aren’t we not entitled to see those who have never stood for any elections represent the change that Sabah can do for Malaysia. CAPTURE the imagination that all 25 Parliamentary Seats that will be won by Sabah Pakatan Rakyat if we send out new, confident, humble and serious hardworking people … (who do not bitch about eachother like these buggers do now) …. imagine sending the young who have successfully done something in their life and promising to the electorates to step down if they have failed their expectations … imagine PKR working on grooming these type of representatives …. imagine … even the Americans realised that they had to pick OBAMA as the symbol of youth and change! Obama was a representative only 4 years before he became President … so he was unknown and new …..
Shakuntala
October 16, 2009
I don’t know much about East Malaysian politics, one fact is glaring though..that we West Malaysians know so little about that beautiful part of our country.
I have only been to Sarawak and have been totally captivated by the colourful culture, the romance of its colonial history and the simple but attractive attitudes of the people there.
Kuching was lovelier than what you imagined it to be, simply because of its people.
It is no wonder that the world thinks they are a gentle people.
Sad to say, the farthest I know about Sabah, is that I had a brief stop-over in KK…
Sorry,I call it a gap in my education and hope for a chance to get to know my fellow Malaysians living in Sabah and Sarawak, better. They are Malaysia.
I find the reference East and West Malaysia a divider, a misnomer,these spelled out divisions are not bringing the people, or the so called leaders any closer, which is an important factor to be reckoned with, if the much needed unity, for our country is to be realized.
All this squabbling about who should lead whom is a pure waste of time if …it only serves to make it clear to the world that we do not understand or know about our own people….
Why should the chance to feel proud of your own Kampong be taken away from you? If the Sabahans want to see their own face as leader, so be it. Give them their own man!!!!
After all when we vote, we want to know who we are voting for.it is the personality that counts in Malaysia and not the party…and we will only support the known, even though we would not know the devil in him, until later, in most cases.
Wasn’t this scenario repeated in Bagan Pinang?….the PAS fielded a territorially unknown candidate…everyone was asking,”Is he a local, or is he from Kelantan”?
So who did they choose,in the end, they chose a stale, crafty oldie called Isa Samad..even though there was so much talk about his already well-acknowledged, jaded character.
How I wish that we had two votes each, one for the person and one for the party…then at least one of our dreams may come true.
Good luck Sabah, I am for your own man!